1st Edition

Water for Energy and Fuel Production

By Yatish T. Shah Copyright 2014
    440 Pages 67 B/W Illustrations
    by CRC Press

    440 Pages 67 B/W Illustrations
    by CRC Press

    Water, in all its forms, may be the key to an environmentally friendly energy economy. Water is free, there is plenty of it, plus it carries what is generally believed to be the best long-term source of green energy—hydrogen.

    Water for Energy and Fuel Production explores the many roles of water in the energy and fuel industry. The text not only discusses water’s use as a direct source of energy and fuel—such as hydrogen from water dissociation, methane from water-based clathrate molecules, hydroelectric dams, and hydrokinetic energy from tidal waves, off-shore undercurrents, and inland waterways—but also:

    • Describes water’s benign application in the production of oil, gas, coal, uranium, biomass, and other raw fuels, and as an energy carrier in the form of hot water and steam
    • Examines water’s role as a reactant, reaction medium, and catalyst—as well as steam’s role as a reactant—for the conversion of raw fuels to synthetic fuels
    • Explains how supercritical water can be used to convert fossil- and bio-based feedstock to synthetic fuels in the presence and absence of a catalyst

    Employing illustrative case studies and commercial examples, Water for Energy and Fuel Production demonstrates the versatility of water as a provider of energy and fuel, conveying the message that as energy demand and environmental concerns grow, so should our vigilance in pursuing the role of water in the energy landscape.

    Series Preface

    Preface

    Author

    Introduction

    Global Energy Landscape: Past, Present, and Future

    The Theme and Outline of the Book

    Water Base Refinery and Water Management for the Future

    References

    Role of Water in Recovery and Production of Raw Fuels

    Introduction

    Increased Water Usage for Recovery of Coal Bed Methane and Gas from Geopressurized Zones

    EOR Process

    Role of Water in the Fracking Process

    Water Requirement for Mining, Preparation, and Extraction of Solid Fuels

    References

    Energy Recovery by Benign Hydrothermal Processes (ERP)

    Introduction

    Role of Water in Production of Nuclear Power

    Hydrothermal Processes for Recovery of Geothermal Energy

    Role of Water in Storage of Solar Energy

    Steam Turbine

    References

    Steam Gasification and Reforming Technologies

    Introduction

    Mechanisms, Kinetics, and Catalysis of Steam Gasification and Reforming

    Dry Reforming

    Tri-Reforming

    Effects of Feedstock and Operating Conditions on Product Distributions

    Steam Gasification and Reforming Reactors

    Novel Steam Gasification and Reforming Processes

    References

    Hydrothermal Processes in Subcritical Water

    Introduction

    Hydrothermal Carbonization (Wet Pyrolysis)

    Hydrothermal Liquefaction

    Hydrothermal Gasification

    Coal–Water Chemistry

    References

    Aqueous Phase Reforming and Bioforming Process

    Introduction

    Aqueous Phase Reforming

    APR versus Steam Reforming

    Thermodynamics of APR

    Kinetics and Catalysis of APR Process

    Production of Syngas and Monofunctional Groups and Their Upgrading

    Virent’s Bioforming Process

    References

    Biofine Hydrolysis Process and Derivative Product Upgrading Technologies

    Introduction

    The Hydrolysis Process

    Upgrading of Intermediate Products from the Biofine Process

    Comparison of Biofine Process with Other Technologies

    Large-Scale Biofine Process

    References

    Anaerobic Digestion of Aqueous Waste for Methane and Hydrogen

    Introduction

    Basic Principles of Anaerobic Digestion

    Microbes and the Effects of Operating Conditions

    Feedstock Effects

    Co-Digestion

    Effects of Harvesting, Storage, and Pretreatment

    Digester Configurations

    Simulation, Modeling, Scale-Up, and Control of Fermentation Process

    Purification of Biogas

    Utilization of Biogas and Digestate

    References

    Hydrolysis and Fermentation Technologies for Alcohols

    Introduction

    Grain (Corn) Ethanol

    Corn to Ethanol Process Technologies

    Cellulosic Ethanol

    Fermentation of Sugar to Isobutanol

    References

    Fuel Production by Supercritical Water

    Introduction

    Properties of SCW

    Role of SCW in Chemical Synthesis

    Oxidation in SCW

    Decomposition and Extraction of Materials by SCW

    Gasification in SCW

    Reforming in SCW

    References

    Water Dissociation Technologies for Hydrogen

    Introduction

    Electrolysis and Its Derivative Technologies

    Photochemical and Its Derivative Technologies

    Thermal and Thermochemical Decomposition of Water

    Other Miscellaneous Technologies

    References

    Methane from Gas Hydrates

    Introduction: What Is Gas Hydrate and How Is It Formed?

    Sources, Sizes, and Importance of Gas Hydrate deposits

    Importance of Gas Hydrates on Offshore Oil and Gas Operations

    Environmental Impacts of Gas Hydrates

    Production of Methane from Gas Hydrate Reservoirs

    References

    Power and Energy Directly from Water

    Introduction

    Hydroelectric Power by Water Dams

    Hydrokinetic Energy and Power Generation

    Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion

    Growth of Hydrokinetic Energy and OTEC Industries and Cost of Hydrokinetic and OTEC Power

    References

    Index

    Biography

    Yatish T. Shah received his BS from University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, USA and MS and Sc.D from Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, USA. During his 40+ years of experience, he has served as chemical and petroleum engineering department chairman, dean of engineering, chief research officer, provost, visiting scholar, and visiting professor at ten different institutions. Currently he is professor of engineering at Norfolk State University, Virginia, USA. He is also an active consultant to numerous organizations in the energy sector. He has authored four books and over 250 reviews and refereed technical publications in the areas of energy, environmental, and reaction engineering.

    "This book is a first of its kind where one can refer to for the roles of water in fossil (conventional and unconventional), nuclear, and renewable energy sectors. It not only covers the use of water as a cooling or heating career fluid, but also as a reactant and reaction medium in different energy conversion processes."
    —Sandeep Kumar, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, Virginia, USA

    "This book provides encyclopedic coverage of the role of water in all aspects of energy production. This allows readers to gain general knowledge of a very wide range of topics, and the extensive references allow them to dig deeper when necessary. The book should prove valuable to engineers and scientists working in water and energy supply. … [It] is a valuable addition to the literature."
    —Howard G. McIlvried, III, Gulf Research & Development Co., Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA (Retired)

    "This monograph gives comprehensive coverage of the use of water as a solvent, reactant, and energy carrier for producing energy, chemicals, and fuels. It covers both the traditional technologies as well as the technologies that are likely to be important in the years to come. Considering that water is becoming a scarce commodity in several countries, it will be a timely and welcome addition to the books in the field of green engineering … [as] it conveys to the reader the importance of water in sustainable development."
    —Deepak Kunzru, Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur

    "The book provides a vibrant platform for students, researchers, entrepreneurs, and technologists to understand and learn more about the role of water in energy and fuel production in sustaining the ecosystem. The book focuses on promoting the concept of green and clean technology using chemistry and chemical engineering practices to reduce or eliminate the use and/or generation of potentially hazardous materials...[It] clearly overviews the methodologies for harnessing water energy for competing their market share."

    --Sanjeev S Katti, D Parvatalu, and Jyoti Verma, ONGC Energy Center, India